At the Franklin, it's 'Electric'

Celebrate Benjamin Franklin's birthday Jan. 17 by viewing one of the legacies of the scientist statesman's most shocking experiments, a gallery of eight artfully handcrafted antique lightning rods at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

The lightning rods in the collection date from late 18th through mid-20th centuries and will be housed in the "Electricity'' exhibit, which will be open during the anniversary of Franklin's birth.

The exhibit is free with admission.

"Electricity'' is on a one-year loan from New York media executive and folk art devotee Joshua Sapan, whose collection of more than 100 items is believed to be the world's largest, and some of its most beautiful.